“Lauren” Mini-Series Focuses on Sexual Assault in the Military

“Lauren” is a mini web-series dedicated to the topic of assault in the military and stars Troian Bellisario and Jennifer Beals. Created by the Youtube channel WIGS, it’s an in-depth and insightful look into what many women face when it comes to bringing allegations of rape and sexual misconduct to light while serving in the armed forces.

Previously, we’ve talked about one of the largest sexual assault cases to hit the US military, with reports that only 3,200 cases were actually investigated of the 19,000 that took place. WIGS and the cast of “Lauren” are hopeful that this web series will create more of an awareness of the situation that many women in service find themselves in.

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nonerkylie
Nona and Kylie are butt-kicking web mods who are dedicated to curating the finest internet content.

Matt228

As a soldier, I have some issues with this scenario. If you are willing to go forward with reporting (ie no serious intimidation involved), why would you waste time trying to convince some Major they should care when they obviously don’t. Find your allies–other NCOs and officers who DO their job. All it should take is one competent soldier to take care of this. To get word to somebody outside of the chain of command (chaplain etc.) who can bring hell on this unit’s leadership.

Your unit may or may not care. But you can be pretty darn sure big Army will care. Everyone directly involved, everyone who stonewalled, and probably a few innocent bystanders will go down.

If anybody is interested in how the real system works, you can go to http://www.sexualassault.army.mil/ . Victims can report privately or publicly. Only public reporting will really have meaningful results. The problem, from my limited vantage, has more to do with lack of public reporting than due to ineffectual response once it is.

Also: I like how she talks about Serbia like that is supposed to mean something. I’m pretty sure that to get respect from most vets right now you have to talk about Vietnam. Bosnia is always funny anecdote.

Matt228

Also, it is not just a women’s issue. Prison style male-on-male shower rape is a common issue as well. Reporting is even less likely…

R_C Cola

As a vet, I see this scenario as completely plausible. Nearly the same exact thing happened to my roommate.
First off, if you notice, the soldier is deployed and not CONUS so her resources are limited on who exactly she can reach out to. Also, she apparently already went to her commander with the issue and he did nothing so she went to the next one up the chain of command. The soldier is following protocol and it is failing her. As it fails many soldiers who report sexual assault.
This is how the real system works, unfortunately. You can utilize your NCO support channel or your chain of command, you can report publicly (like she is doing), but then you are also subject to harassment,by folks in your own unit, your own squad. Once that paperwork goes through the O-room you are firmly entrenched in the court of public opinion.

As you said, you are poking holes in this scenario from your limited vantage. I understand that, and I understand how you see SHARP. But, the reporting system in SHARP does not prevent people in your squad from harassing you, from defaming you if you report a rape. It doesn’t stop your commander from making a “personal judgement call” about the assault. These things DO happen. That’s what the video is for- it is showing that just filing a report is only the beginning. And more often than not, army leadership (be it NCOs or Officers) would rather have a rapist walk or get a slap on the wrist then admit they have a problem.

I mean no disrespect by my tone in this post. It’s a serious issue that’s close to my heart is all.